My boss had me start on a theater project for his home a couple of years ago. I had barely managed to get a 110 inch diag. 16:9 Stewart screen that was then suited for the Qualia 004 before the whole thing was postponed. Now we're back on again. :eek:

I've got a distance of roughly 40 feet from the screen to the projector. I've also got french doors across one side of the room so ambient light could be a slight dilemma even with the heavy curtains that's going to be installed. I haven't kept up with the latest products lately and I could use some advise as to which projector/lens combo would be ideal for the task. My boss was considering the Qualia 004 back then, so I suppose anything 30k or under would be ok as long as its comparable or maybe even better now than the 004.

Here's what I've got so far on the video end:

Lumagen Radiance XD for the video processing. (planning to purchase soon)

Oppo DV-981HD for standard DVDs.

Panasonic DMP-BD10AK for Blu-Ray unless somebody has a better suggestion.

Dish VIP 622 for basic sat service. ( My boss doesn't care for sports. )

Logitech Harmony 1000 for the remote.

I tried to sell him on getting a Crestron but he's not interested. I also failed in getting him to agree on a HTPC of some sort. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

That is a 5x throw. There is very little out there that will accomodate. You will have to concentrate your efforts on the 3 chip DLP's with interchangable lenses. They will start in the $10k range for a 720p (Infocus SP777), but jump well over $30k for a 1080p model (which nowadays there will be more of).

Any chance of changing that throw?

Unfortunately not Jason. The room itself is fairly fixed. However, if I can convince him to allow me to move it, is there any decent 1080p pjs that'll fall between the 20k to 30k range?

Do you have a preference between 720p and 1080p? In other words does it have to be 1080p?

Richard

It looks like the new dVision 30 - 1080p will work for you with this lens - 3.7-6.5:1 . According to Digital Projection's calc's it will work on a 110" diagonal screen from between 29.558375 feet and 51.926875 feet. Check out the lens throw here.

http://www.digitalprojection.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=61

Yes that is an option, when they release it. But they still haven't gotten out the Titan yet (although we will have ours early next week!). Not sure what the timeframe is.

Naturally, I would much prefer to purchase a 1080p for my boss. That way I won't have to upgrade it anytime soon. :p However, it really depends on what's available between the 20k and 30k range. A 720p pj would also fit the bill if the quality/price ratio is difficult to pass up. I checked out that DP product and it looks good. I haven't really followed up to see if it's available or how much it cost.

Can someone answer this for me? At one point I could remember that a lot of enthusiasts were really enamored with Sony's SXRD system. Is that still the case or has DLP recently introduced some new chips that's hard to beat? I do agree on the 3-chip system. If I go with DLP, I think that's a must. His screen isn't that large. (104" diagonal I think) but probably large enough to appreciate a 3 chip system. Are we in agreement here or am I completely ignorant on this subject? :confused:

Also, if I'm in the market for a pj that has a built in scaler similar in quality to the Lumagen XD, should I let the pj handle the scaling or should I stay the course and purchase the XD?

I just want to say that you guys have all been a great help in helping me get back into what's current and I really appreciate that. I still have anywhere between 3-4 weeks before making a purchase decision and I'm glad to have this forum to go to for info. I only wish that I could personally afford some of these great toys. :D

I do agree on the 3-chip system. If I go with DLP, I think that's a must.

Don't sell Digital Projection's 1 chip 1080p projectors short. I'm completely satisfied with mine in my setup. I just ran the Silicon Optix HD HQV test disk tonite - the included scaler passed every test with flying colors. An incredible looking picture!

There are a number of high end I chip dlps that are fantastic. A 3 chipper is not "a must" for that screen size, its actally not that large. Dont foget that a 1 chip DLP has the sharpest image of all.

Your issue is the throw. As for scalers and VPs....Any high end PJ should scale very well. The Sims are capable of bettering anything on the market. And now have the Brilliant color and Unishape which closes the gap to 3 chippers a good bit.
The HT5000 has 6 lens optios and MAY cover your app but is way over budget and probably total overkill for such a small screen.

Can you not cieling mount and reduce the throw. If not, why?? as this may be a way to solve the issue. Failing that, then the Digital Projection is without doubt one of the best machines and images available.

Is that still the case or has DLP recently introduced some new chips that's hard to beat? I do agree on the 3-chip system. If I go with DLP, I think that's a must.

Do you know if your boss or his family is sensitive to the rainbow artefacts that some people see due to the spinning colour wheel used in mono chip DLP’s? The phenomenon appears to be very person specific and whilst it doesn't affect some other are affected even by the latest higher speed products.

Worth checking.

Dazzer

Unfortunately not Jason. The room itself is fairly fixed. However, if I can convince him to allow me to move it, is there any decent 1080p pjs that'll fall between the 20k to 30k range?


I'd also think about posting in the hi-end forum as well, there are plenty well informed and connected people using it that would be able to help and advise from real experience. I know its helped me. Just a thought.

PS... For goodness sake dont buy a VP until you KNOW you need it. At the price point you are thinking about, its frequently not needed.

Can you not cieling mount and reduce the throw. If not, why??

Or perhaps you can do what I did - build a small projector room ( closet really ) behind the last row of seats closer to the screen. If you built it at 18' - 20' from the screen you would have a lot more choices of projectors!

I wish that I could move the location of the pj. Unfortunately, the whole room is custom made and I'll upload some images when I can. You should see the intricate woodwork. Anyway, the pj is not going to be ceiling mounted. Rather, there's a specific area right above a bar behind the room where all the equipment will be stored. I'll go check out that DP pj in further detail and thanks for the advise on the scaler. If I purchase an upper scale pj then it should come built with a decent scaler. At that point, I may not even go with separates anymore. I could probably do with a Denon or Krell A/V receiver. That would simplify things a bit. I wish that there my choices weren't so limited based on the throw distance. Again, thanks for all the responses so far. :)

The DP projector comes with a bundled scaler ( as of right now a Calibre HD ) anyway, so don't even think of buying one until after you buy a projector.

Got to go watch an HD movie on mine - see ya!